Schnebly Hill Road

full-preview Icon
4.3/5 (78 reviews)
Sedona, Arizona (Coconino County)
Last Updated: 09/26/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude Category Icon Altitude
Desert Category Icon Desert
Forest Category Icon Forest
Iconic Category Icon Iconic

“The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time,” said Thoreau in his 1854 book Walden. Sadly, he never saw Sedona. Sand dunes and seabed sediments were laid and then covered by more of the same over 300 million years ago. Under unimaginable compression, they became the sandstone we see today. A massive 3000-foot uplift 13 million years ago created the Mogollon Rim, running from central New Mexico to western Arizona, exposing the ancient sandstone layers. Walden’s gentle erosion took over. The ethereal beauty of Sedona’s many sandstone formations emerged. Today, tourists from all over the world flock to charming and captivatingly scenic Sedona. Offroaders come, too, running the many famous rocky trails in the area. Schnebly Hill Road is both a road and a rite of passage. The road is crowded and annoyingly bumpy on the descent from the Rim into Sedona. But the views always delight, all that red and buff sandstone formed into monuments ranging from massive to whimsical. Despite being a Jeep Badge of Honor Trail, Schnebly Hill Road is a once-and-done for many. But it is one that you need to do and will always remember, a touchstone of the community, if you will. Thoreau never did Schnebly Hill Road. You should.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Schnebly Hill Road changes several times during its 11-mile descent into Sedona. The trail is nicely maintained with hard-packed dirt in its upper section, Waypoints 1 through 8. From Waypoint 8 to 10, the track gets increasingly rocky. From Waypoint 10, the trail descends 1800 feet along switchbacks and shelves on mostly solid rock with ledges and exposed boulders. There are no significant or named obstacles along the road, except heavy traffic on weekends and holidays. It is possible to run in 2WD vehicles with adequate clearance, but it is not recommended if the conditions are other than optimal. The use of low range on the descent can help save your brakes.

Trail Reviews

4.3/5 (78)
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
12650
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/22/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I have met folks on this trail from all over the country. Many don't know about the Jeep Badge of Honor program. It is as simple as downloading the "Badge of Honor" app, check into the trail when you get there and they will send you a trail badge in the mail for completing the trail. It is a cool program and free! I did see a gentleman at the Vista taking pictures. I didn't think much of it as you can get a standard passenger SUV there from Interstate 17. I turned around and he was headed down the hill in a BMW X1 SUV. I caught up to him and suggested he turn around or risk damage to his vehicle. Well, he didn't turn around. I saw him on three wheels further down the trail by the Merry go round. He got down the trail and out the bottom surely with a significantly bruised undercarriage and torn-up road tires. Please don't do this.
Trail Review: Schnebly Hill Road - Todd Harkins
Trail Review: Schnebly Hill Road - Todd Harkins
View More Images
User Avatar
100
Open
Visited: 08/24/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Was my first like actual trail that was not just a dirt road. Disconnecting the sway bar and going up from the Sedona side it is very bumpy. Some rocks have been pulled up and need a bit of trickery to avoid. Did 4 miles up. Gate was open, and we were going to go for it, but we got caught in a thunderstorm and turned back. Going down this trail is a different story at night in the rain. Im still pretty green to offroading and did it in 4h with my sway bar off, and it was bumpier than I expected as a newbie. If i did it again, which i would, to get the full run, I'd go aired down and 4lo with sway disconnected so i could really take in the views and just meander through. For a newbie, the views up there with the weather rolling in were spectacular. The rating is right. it's moderate like you need to do the work to get through.
Open
Visited: 08/10/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Very easy, nothing particularly technical. Its just kind of tedious....lots of bumps. Do yourself a favor and air way down. Good views !
Open
Visited: 07/03/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Great trail. Ran it downhill from the 17. Very very bumpy. Running lifted 2 wheel drive. High clearance is a must.
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
42700
Open
Visited: 06/16/2023

According to the Coconino National Forest website, this trail is open!

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial